Training the Orphan

Our Lie

If I said anything about my concerns, Mom would get upset and Paps would be disappointed. It would be worse than getting married to an intolerable b***h. Therefore, I did what was asked of me without voicing my opinion.

I went along with the plan to court Ameila. She was my grandmother's pick. Amelia was everything Nana dreamed of. She was too perfect. Maybe I was a sucker for my friends, but either way, Ameila was too deceptive. No one was that amazing. It stated that she had something to hide. It helped that we were childhood friends. The fact that she thought she could hide things from me irritated me So, I hired a private investigator. We learned a lot more about perfect Ameila.

To be honest, I was grateful. Amelia was not my type. I did not want this whole scheme to cost me my friends. Of course, I forwarded the evidence to my parents. They needed to see how sweet she was. It was all done in high hopes they would cancel this marriage thing. Instead, they did the opposite. I got Amelia in more trouble than intended. Amelia's father got dragged into that mess and my family shifted to the next available girl.

Now, here I was, back in Miami to discuss the next candidate in the lineup of perfect-to-be wives. I couldn't come alone this time, so Kevin and Vanessa were here for support.

A sharp pain rippled across my side. I flinched from the pinch, coming back to my tragic reality.

"Are you alright, son?" Mom asked.

I nodded and rubbed my sore side. Vanessa smiled at me. She was going to pay for this later.

"Okay, good. I'll make the call," Papi stated. All evidence of the playfulness in his tone from earlier was gone.

"I'll get the ring ready," Nana added.

Ring?

Nana was a proud owner of a jewelry company. Her jewelry collections have been one of the most worn pieces of jewelry in the world. Therefore, I should not be startled at the word 'ring'. It could be for a client.

The thought crumbled at Mom's next words.

"I'll get everything ready for the event." She smiled at the end of the statement.

I stared in silence. My brain tried to catch up with all their planning but failed.

Shit!

I should have been listening. Now, if I asked what they were talking about, they would know I wasn't paying attention. Then, they would give me that 'you should have known better' look.

A soft sigh left my lips. I shifted in my chair.

Vanessa must have sensed my uneasiness because she came to my rescue. "I know I should be the last person to say this, but," she laced her fingers with mine and stared at me with piercing brown eyes. "I get that you want to do the right thing, but proposing to Haley next month is just too much. Don't you think we should tell them? It's time."

Did she say Haley? Haley was the last person I would want to marry. Marrying her would be tangling up myself in a whole other tragic chain of events. Both mine and Haley's lives would be hell. Whatever happened to the two months of courting rule my family made?

I frowned at the new knowledge. Kevin slurped his orange juice.

Nana leaned forward in her seat. "Tell us what, dear?" Her voice was soft. The tone was filled with compassion and a hint of concern. This was the voice she used whenever I was upset or sad. It calmed me. Now, it did nothing to quell the rising panic.

Vanessa patted my hand and dragged her gaze to my family. Those amazing brown eyes of hers held sorrow and willfulness. How she conveyed those emotions was beyond me. "Javian can't propose to Haley because he already has a girlfriend."

What? I did? Who?

Silence washed over our table. Puzzled stares were aimed in my direction. Kevin choked on his orange juice. The sound was prominent in the air. Vanessa squeezed my fingers with a soft smile.

God, she wasn't done.

"I know you guys must be wondering why he didn't say anything," Vanessa continued. "But, I guess he was a little overwhelmed."

Mom was the first to clear her throat. The sound was low and delicate. No doubt she was baffled. "Well, I guess we never did give you many options."

She glanced at me and I couldn't return the stare. I looked away.

I didn't have a girlfriend. Well, not one I knew of. Sure, there were a few girls I was seeing for s*x, nothing more. Although on more than one occasion, females mixed up having a good time with 'we're in a relationship'. When those were caught, I often nipped them in the bud.

So, why couldn't I speak up? Why was I allowing Vanessa to lie?

Nana smiled. "So, who is this lucky girl?"

"And, does anyone else know about her?" Dad asked.

His 'no one else' was another word used to cover up the media. He wanted to know if the media knew her. Typical.

This was beyond foolish. My family knew everyone. They would figure out Vanessa lied. I had to tell the truth.

I shifted in my chair. "It's—"

"She's a shy little thing," Kevin blurted out, interrupting my sorry excuse of a confession. "Cute, but shy. You see, she isn't from our class, our level of wealth, so she and Javian stayed clear of the media. You know how some girls are, they want to impress the parents first. The first impression always counts, right?"

My two sets of parents shared glances.

Nana placed her palms on her lap with, "I guess so."

Yep, I was going to hell. They were going to find out and be disappointed in me.

"This is the main reason why I'm here," Vanessa lied. "After all, I'm a fashion designer. Creating is my specialty. She wants to know how to act in our world, so Javian thought it would be great if I taught her a few things before you meet her."

Papi remained quiet. Mom gapped. Paps frowned.

Nana shook her head. "I don't know, dear. You can never tell with these girls."

Damn, right. Ameila was never attracted to me in anyway, yet she fooled everyone. Vanessa was another issue. Unpredictable and out of control.

"And, that's why I agreed to help her," Vanessa went on. "I mean, this is Javian Webster we're talking about. I love him as much as any of you and I want the best for him. I know what he likes and doesn't like. I am the best person to teach her. You all do want the perfect wife for your amazing son." Her eyes softened when they landed on my Mom's.

God, who was this monster?

"Of course, we want that," Mom said. "But, we still have to look at every aspect of this situation. What if it's too much for her, then all we would have done was waste time."

The two couples started voicing their concerns. Vanessa's grip tightened on my hand.

Lying was never the answer. Yet, the thought of marrying Haley was enough to send my heart in overdrive.

That's when I blurted out, "She's an orphan."

The table once again went quiet. All eyes zeroed in on me. Kevin sank a little in his seat. I wanted to do the same but had to stay still.

"Yes," Vanessa jumped in on the idea. "She's been struggling as a child and she's now trying to build a life. Her life." Vanessa looked to Mom. "Mrs. Webster, you know more than anyone else what that feels like. Rich boy marries a poor girl. The media would eat that up within a second. All her hard work would be lost. She would forever be the gold digger. If we train her, she can step in front of the camera being strong. The gold-digger reputation wouldn't even be thought of. And, if it makes you feel better, I can watch her. After all, I am the best. Besides, if she fails, you'll still have Haley on speed dial."

Silence enveloped us.

Why didn't Vanessa turn into a lawyer like her Dad? She was too good. I mean, she was always amazing at persuasion, but this was on a whole other level. No wonder her previous fashion line was successful. Her older brother must be proud of her.

"Okay," Papi agreed, glancing at his wife.

Nana nodded in approval at her husband.

Mom and Paps remained in silence.

Oh, God, they must have thought I was keeping secrets. I should have said something. Anything.

"You have until the 28th of next month to have everything done," Paps announced. "We'll meet her at the next family meeting."

That was five days before the engagement to Haley.

Vanessa and Kevin shared a glance and sighed. I was too numb to get emotional. What would happen when the truth came out? It could cost me my family's trust.

"That's reasonable," Vanessa sipped her orange juice. "I'll be training the orphan."

"Let's eat this lunch before it gets cold," Nana beamed.

Smiles went around. They all dug into the food. A more civilized and happier conversation started up.

My family was oblivious of the lie. The lie I could have prevented. When they found out about it, I'll be…

What the f**k have I done?